Universal Tool Device

The present application claims the benefit of U.S. provisional patent application No. 63/719,339, filed on Nov. 12, 2024.

The present disclosure relates to tool devices, and more specifically, to a universal and adjustable tool device with a pair of handles for working out an object.

Traditional handheld tools, such as scissors, shears, trimmers, snips, pliers, or specialized tools (for use in dentistry or the like) and the like, used for working out an object, are typically made for either right-handed users or left-handed users, but not for both. Additionally, typical hand working tools are made with a single format for a single type of use, such as conventional scissors that are made for cutting materials (plastic sheets, paper, carboard, etc.) or the ones that are angled for better cutting of tissues, liners, etc. laid on a horizontal surface.

Furthermore, some specialized tools which are made with a specific shape for a predetermined use, such as in pliers in dentistry, or the like for medical/surgical purpose, would sometimes need to be modified for use in a different use or simply to reach a different object, and in such cases different tools are therefore used (as the original ones are not adaptable).

Accordingly, there is a need for an improved universal tool device for working out an object.

It is therefore a general object of the present disclosure to provide a universal tool device for working out an object that obviates the above-noted drawbacks and problems.

An advantage of the present invention is that the tool device is adaptable to provide different angles, typically predetermined, between the pair of working members and the pair of handles, about the pivoting (main) axis of the working members.

Another advantage of the present invention is that the tool device is usable by any user, being right-handed or left-handed.

A further advantage of the present invention is that the tool device may also further allow for a transversal (lateral) angle, at predetermined positions or angles, between the working members and the handles (which could be advantageous especially when using snips-type working members and the like), both having different rotational axes typically intersecting one another at a midpoint between the two working members.

Yet another advantage of the present invention is that the tool device allows for interchangeable types of working members, with a same pair of handles, such as scissors, pliers, shears, etc.

According to an aspect of the present disclosure there is provided a universal tool device, the device comprising:

In one embodiment, the first and second handle members removably connecting to the first and second working members, respectively.

Conveniently, the handle axis being colinear with the main axis.

Conveniently, the first and second working members being removably connected to one another.

In one embodiment, the first and second working members including a guide mechanism allowing the first and second working members to pivot relative to one another about the main axis between a fully open configuration, in which the first and second working members are adapted to receive the object therebetween, and a closed configuration, in which the first and second working members abut to one another with no object therebetween.

Conveniently, the tool device further includes a securing mechanism axially securing the first and second working members to one another along the main axis while allowing the first and second working members to pivot relative to one another about the main axis.

In one embodiment, the guide mechanism includes a symmetrical pin and slot arrangement with a slot portion being arcuate about the main axis for slidably receiving a respective pin portion therealong.

In one embodiment, the securing mechanism including a tab member radially protruding from the respective pin portion for engaging a recess member radially extending from the respective slot portion.

In one embodiment, the connecting member includes a pin part extending from each said first and second handle members toward the other one said first and second handle members engaging a corresponding hole part extending into each said first and second working members, each said pin part axially extending along the handle axis and each said hole part axially extending along the main axis.

Conveniently, each said pin part and said hole part having a generally axial elongated body (polygonal prism) and corresponding and recess, respectively, with a transversal section area of a polygonal shape.

Conveniently, the polygonal shape is one of a triangular, a square, an hexagonal, an heptagonal, an octagonal, a nonagonal, a decagonal, an hendecagonal, a dodecagonal, an hexadecagonal, an icosagonal, and a icositetragonal shape.

In one embodiment, the retaining member includes a rod member extending from one said first and second handle members towards the other one said first and second handle members, and a lock member located at a free end of the rod member releasably securing to the other one said first and second handle members.

Conveniently, the rod member extends along the main axis and through the first and second working members.

Conveniently, the lock is a circumferential slot extending radially inwardly at the free end of the rod member and being selectively engageable by a locking tab member movably mounted on the other one said first and second handle members.

In one embodiment, the handle axis is angularly spaced relative to the main axis, thereby defining a lateral (shift-transversal) angle therebetween, and the intersection point is a mid-point between the first and second working members.

Conveniently, the connecting member allows for translational and/or rotational displacement between the first and second handle members and the respective first and second working members connected thereto.

Conveniently, the connecting member includes a pin part extending from each said first and second handle members toward the other one said first and second handle members engaging a corresponding hole part extending into each said first and second working members, each said pin part axially extending along the handle axis and each said hole part axially extending along the main axis.

Conveniently, each said pin part and said hole part tapering down in a direction extending toward the intersection point.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from a careful reading of the detailed description provided herein, with appropriate reference to the accompanying drawings.

Referring to, there is shown an embodiment of a universal, and typically adjustable, tool devicein accordance with the present invention. The tool device, defining a longitudinal axis, is used for working out an object (not shown), and comprises a pair of or first and second working (tool) members(such as scissors—shown in, shears, trimmers, snips, pliers—shown in, or field specialized (dentistry or medical field) and the like) pivotally connecting to one another about a main axisbetween fully open (when positioning the device relative to the object) and closed (when working the object therebetween) configurations, and any intermediate open configuration there between. The firstand secondworking members,, with respectively the firstand secondworking tool section themselves, are adapted to simultaneously work the object therebetween. Firstand secondhandle members, with respectively the firstand secondhandle section themselves, pivotally connect to one another about a handle axisintersecting the main axisleast at an intersection point P between the first and second working members. The first and second handle memberstypically removably connect to the first and second working members, respectively, via a connecting member. As best seen in, the connecting memberallows a selective angular, defined as main angle M, positioning about the main axisbetween the first and second handle membersand the respective first and second working members, for example, with the pair of working members′ being angularly moved upward (or counter-clockwise—also represented with the long-dash-line hexagon in) by main angle Mof about 15°, or with the pair of working members″ being angularly moved downward (or clockwise—also represented with the short-dash-line hexagon in) by main angle Mof about 30° relative to the pair of handle members. The connecting memberallows the pair of working membersto be typically interchangeable with another pair, while keeping the same pair of handle members. A retaining memberselectively retains the firstand secondhandle membersand the respective firstand secondworking membersconnected to one another along the main axis.

As illustrated more specifically in, the handle axisis typically colinear with the main axis, and the first and second working membersare typically removably connected to one another.

Typically, the first and second working membersinclude a guide mechanismallowing the first and second working membersto typically slidably pivot relative to one another about the main axisbetween the open, in which the tool portion of the first and second working membersare spaced apart from one another (no abutment or touching) and adapted to receive or position the object therebetween, and closed, in which the tool portion of the first and second working membersabut to one another with no object therebetween, configurations, respectively.

Typically, the connecting memberincludes a pin partextending from each said first and second handle memberstoward the other one said first and second handle membersto engage a corresponding hole partextending into each said first and second working members. Each pin partaxially extends along the handle axisand each hole partaxially extends along the main axis.

Each pin partpreferably has a generally axial elongated body (polygonal prism) with a transversal section area of a polygonal shape (preferably square, as illustrated by pin partof, or hexagonal shape,′,″), and each hole partpreferably has a corresponding generally axial elongated recess (polygonal prism) with a corresponding transversal section area of the polygonal shape to tightly removably receive the pin parttherein. The polygonal shape is typically one of a triangular (3), a square (4), an hexagonal (6), an heptagonal (7), an octagonal (8), a nonagonal (9), a decagonal (10), an hendecagonal (11), a dodecagonal (12), an hexadecagonal (16), an icosagonal (20), and a icositetragonal (24) shape, and preferably a icositetragonal shape as illustrated in the figures. As best seen in, the hexagonal-shape pin partis inserted into the corresponding icositetragonal-shape hole part, with the hexagonal-shape pin part,′,″ shown either in solid lines, short-stippled lines, or long-stippled lines with the working members,′,″ extending “in-line” (horizontal), or angularly upward, or angularly downward relative to the handle members, respectively, in the positions shown in.

Obviously, although not specifically illustrated herein, a person skilled in the art would readily understand that many other types of connecting memberor other shapes and/or combination of shapes are possible without departing from the scope of the present invention. For example, the pin partcould have a square shape while the hole partcould have a dodecagonal shape. Also, the pin partcould have a relatively flat plate shape (as a flat shape screwdriver), or diametrically spaced apart pins, while the hole partcould have a star shape with an even number of multiple corresponding star points or pin holes.

Although a person skilled in the art would readily understand that many types of different retaining membersare possible without departing from the scope of the present invention, as best seen in, the retaining memberof the illustrated embodimenttypically includes a rodextending along the handle axisfrom the second handle membertoward and into a rod receiving holeof the first handle memberThe rodtypically extends through respective holesof the first and second working membersto retain the working membersbetween the handle members. The retaining memberalso typically includes a lockthat releasably locks the handle membersto each other, Although the lockcan take many forms or shapes (such as, for example a snap fastener or the like), the illustrated locktypically takes the form of a circumferential slotextending radially inwardly at the free end of the rodand adapted to be at least partially engageable by a locking tabmovably mounted on the first handle memberthe locking tabhaving an openingextending therethrough and sized to selectively clear the diameter of the rod, and being slidably movable between a rod releasing position (when slid in the lower position—see) and a rod retaining position (when slid in the upper position—see), as schematically illustrated in, respectively.

In the embodiment, as best seen in, the illustrated guide mechanismincludes a typically symmetrical pinand slotarrangement with a slot portionbeing arcuate about the main axisthat slidably receives a respective corresponding pin portionthere along between the fully open and closed configurations.

Preferably, the devicefurther includes a securing mechanismaxially securing the firstand secondworking membersto one another along the main axiswhile allowing the first and second working membersto pivot relative to one another about the main axis.

In the embodiment, again as best seen in, the illustrated securing mechanismpreferably includes a tab memberradially protruding inwardly from the respective pin portionfor engaging a corresponding recess memberradially extending inwardly from the respective slot portion. Typically, the securing mechanismfurther enables the first and second working membersto unsecure or disconnect from one another, such as when the fully open configuration in which the tab memberis freed from being at least partially engaged within and retained by the recess member.

In another embodiment′ illustrated in, the main axisis angularly spaced relative to the handle axis, thereby defining a lateral (shift—transversal) angle L therebetween, and the intersection point P is a mid-point between the first′ and second′ working members′. As best seen in, the connecting member′, and retaining member′, allows a selective lateral angular, defined as main angle L, positioning of the main axisrelative to the handle axis, for example, with the pair of working members′ being angularly moved rearward (or counter-clockwise—seen as upward in—also represented with the long-dash-line hole part′ in) by lateral angle Lof about 36°, or with the pair of working members′ being angularly moved frontward (or clockwise—seen as downward in—also represented with the short-dash-line hole part′ in) by lateral angle Lof about 18° relative to the pair of handle members′. This selective lateral angular positioning of the working members′ relative to the handle members′ makes the interface therebetween being at least partially hemi-spherical (three additional lateral positions, both for front and rear displacements, are schematically illustrated in, with approximately 18° between two adjacent positions).

In this embodiment′, the connecting member′ typically allows for translational and/or rotational displacement between the first′ and second′ handle members′ and the respective first′ and second′ working membersconnected thereto. Accordingly, as more specifically illustrated in, each through-hole′,′,′ (and also each hole part′,′,′) typically tapers down in a direction extending toward the intersection point P (as best seen in), to allow for the lateral (“out-of-plane”) relative displacement there between, and this is why the lateral angle L typically should remain relatively small, such as 40° or less. The preferably uniform diameter of the rod (not shown) (and also the pin part′) is sized to fit the small diameter of the through-hole′,′,′ at the intersection point P (and also the small diameter size of the hole part′,′,′).

Because of the lateral shift of the working members′ relative to the handle members′, any move of the working members′ from the closed configuration to an open configuration will induce a slight variation of the position of the working members′ between the handle members′ along the handle axis, and this slight variation has to be accounted for, especially by the tapering of the through-hole′,′,′ and the hole part′,′,′ as well as the proper sizing thereof. Similarly, the retaining member, and especially the lockmight also need to be slightly modified or adjusted to account for the lateral angular displacements.

Although the second embodiment′ allows the selective lateral (front and rear) positioning of working members′ relative to the handle members′, it also allows, for each one of the selected lateral position, for the selective up and down positioning, as the first embodiment, but a person skilled in the art would readily understand that it could also not be the case, without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Although the present disclosure has been described with a certain degree of particularity and by way of an illustrative embodiment and examples thereof, it is to be understood that the present disclosure is not limited to the features of the embodiments described and illustrated herein, but includes all variations and modifications within the scope and spirit of the disclosure as hereinafter claimed.